Bruins launch coaching search after missing playoffs; Joe Sacco to be in mix
Boston Bruins president Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeney received a vote of confidence from ownership Wednesday after the end of the team's eight-year playoff run.
But that management group said it has started a coaching search. Current interim coach Joe Sacco will be among the candidates, Sweeney said, adding, "He's earned and deserved that."
Sacco finished the season with a 25-30-7 record after Jim Montgomery was fired in November.
Sweeney said he wouldn't rule out a candidate without NHL head coaching experience but said the person must have "some exposure" to the NHL.
"Communication with players nowadays is paramount," he said. "Structure, details, being organized is paramount."
Sacco had been with the Bruins as an assistant coach, associate coach or interim head coach since the 2013-14 season. He previously coached the Colorado Avalanche for four seasons.
The Bruins dropped from an NHL record-setting season to out of the playoffs in two years.
A lot of the Bruins' problems extended beyond coaching. Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci retired after Boston finished with a record 65 wins and 135 points, and the Bruins didn't find replacements last season.
Sweeney signed center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Nikita Zadorov to seven-year deals last summer and they got off to rough starts. The Bruins traded goalie Linus Ullmark, and Jeremy Swayman missed training camp before signing an eight-year deal. His numbers dropped as a No. 1 goalie.
Defenseman Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy, hurt at the 4 Nations Face-Off, missed significant time with injuries.
Usually buyers at the deadline, the Bruins were big-time sellers, moving Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, Trent Frederic and Brandon Carlo. The team finished last in the Atlantic Division.
"We owe you a better team and we aim to deliver you a better team," Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs said about Bruins fans. "We embrace your criticism because it's well-deserved."
Jacobs, talking about Neely and Sweeney, said the team had the "right people in the right seats" to turn things around.
Neely also gave a vote of confidence to Sweeney, who has a year left on his contract.
"Don has been a great GM in this league," Neely said. "Has everything gone right? No.
"It doesn't. That's just sports. But there's been more good than bad."
Sweeney said one of his offseason priorities was more getting scoring from the wing.
Rangers give Chris Drury contract extension
New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury received a vote of confidence Wednesday in the form of a contract extension. Terms weren't disclosed.
He has been in the job since May 2021.
“Over his tenure, Chris has shown passion for the Rangers, relentless work ethic, and a tireless pursuit of excellence. While we are all disappointed in what transpired this past season, I am confident in his ability to guide this organization to success," James L. Dolan, MSG Sports executive chairman and CEO, said in a statement after Drury agreed to terms.
The Rangers missed the playoffs one season after winning the 2023-24 Presidents' Trophy. Drury fired Peter Laviolette on Saturday and has started a coaching search.